The Utah Jazz will begin making their game available to air starting next season, becoming the latest franchise centered around a new option for fans and potentially reaching more viewers than ever before.
The Jazz revealed its plan on Tuesday, as owner Ryan Smith announced the launch of his new production company called SEG Media. Its platforms will allow Jazz fans with a basic antenna to watch all games that are not broadcast nationally, and will also include a subscription-based paid streaming service that will also feature unique team content.
Smith said only 39% of households in the state had the ability to watch Jazz games when he bought the team.
“Now, if you had a TV set with bunny ears, we’d be able to reach 100% of our audience,” said Smith.
It’s similar to the recently announced Stanley Cup champions Vegas Golden Knights, along with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. The Los Angeles Clippers also unveiled a direct-to-consumer option last October.
The move is the latest development in the rapidly changing sports spectator market. Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March; That company, under the Bally Sports banner, featured games from more than 40 MLB, NBA and NHL teams.
“It’s clear that the model for RSN around the world is changing and we prefer to build on it and focus on experimentation and delivering the best experience for our fans,” said Smith.
Smith said Jazz and the new production company have received the necessary approvals from the NBA for the new project, which will be ready to go when the season begins in October.
“We have a great fan base, but we only show games to, at best, 40% of them,” said Smith. And so, we came up with this new philosophy or way of doing it where instead of licensing our television rights to one group and just saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to take what you guys do,’ we basically said we’re going to be in the media business.”
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA And https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Join the conversation